Tokyo: Former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki continued her revival by brushing aside Japanese teenager Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 here Sunday to win the Pan Pacific Open for the second time and secure her first title of the year.
Hampered by injuries, the 26-year-old Dane slumped to No. 74 in the world at the end of August and looked like going through a season without a title for the first time since 2007, sparking rumours retirement might be on the horizon.
She again looked in trouble after losing her serve for the second time in the opening set but proved almost unstoppable after receiving treatment.
Wildcard Osaka simply crumbled as Wozniacki raced away with the second set and only mustered up any real resistance when she was 5-0 down.
It was some resistance, though, as the 18-year-old unleashed the thunderous serve and explosive groundstrokes that saw off two top 20 players on her run to the final this week.
Ultimately, though, Wozniacki’s experience of playing the big moments — she converted five of her six break points in the match compared to three of nine for Osaka proved decisive.
While Osaka, who will move into the top 50 on the back of her run at the Ariake Coliseum, was crestfallen, Wozniacki predicted great things for the teenager.
Wozniacki, who rose to No. 28 in the world after reaching the semifinals of the US Open earlier this month, will move another four or five spots closer to the top 20.
Reuters
